Britain - brick wall ahead for meat trade

The British Meat Processors Association says that the £8.7bn (€9.7bn) trade in meat, most of which currently flows seamlessly to and from the EU and keeps the just-in-time food supply chain moving, is about to run into a huge brick wall because the government has declined to prioritise fresh meat products through UK ports.

New Zealand - milk price forecast raised

Fonterra (New Zealand) has lifted milk price forecast to $6.80/kg milk solids (28.7c/l at Irish milk solids), up 6% from the previous mid-point price it had forecasted. China market recovery is flagged as the key reason. Milk supply is peaking now in New Zealand.

Brazil - beef exports up

Brazil exported 162,685t of beef in October, bringing beef exports to 1.4m tonnes so far this year, almost 200,000t more than the first 10 months of 2019. Meanwhile, Brazilian beef exports to the US have reached 12,521 at 24 October having recommenced this year.

USA - maize production forecast high

The most recent estimate of 2020 US maize production from the International Grains Council (IGC) puts output at 441.1mt, its second highest production ever. Global maize production is put at a record 1,160.4mt, which is lower than the IGC’s consumption estimate of 1176.2mt.